Notice of Supplementary Rule for Public Lands in California

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, El Centro Field Office, California Desert District, Interior.

ACTION:

Camping closure of selected Federal lands, Imperial County, CA.

SUMMARY:

The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) El Centro Field Office is issuing a supplementary camping closure rule. This rule will apply to public lands located in the East Mesa lying west of the Old Coachella Canal and north of Interstate 8 near Gordon's Well in Imperial County, CA. This rule is being issued to protect the flat-tailed horned lizard and will continue a current camping closure.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lynnette Elser, Resources Branch Chief, 1661 So. 4th St., El Centro, CA 92243, (760) 337-4420.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Discussion of the Supplementary Rule

BLM has determined this rule is necessary to support the decision record for the Western Colorado Desert Routes of Travel Designation (WECO ROT) Plan. Stakeholders participated in the development of this plan and have had opportunity to provide comments on this supplementary rule through the development of the WECO ROT Plan. This rule is final upon publication and applies to public lands within: SBM, T.16S., R.19E., Secs. 3, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35; T.16S., R.20E., Secs. 30, 31 (those portions lying west of the Old Coachella Canal and north of Interstate 8).

II. Procedural Matters

Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference With Constitutionally Protected Property Rights (Takings)

The rule does not represent a government action capable of interfering with Constitutionally-protected property rights. It is simply a ban on certain conduct that has implications to natural and cultural resource protection. Therefore, the Department of the Interior has determined that this rule will not cause a taking of private property or require further discussion of takings implications under this Executive Order.

Executive Order 13132, Federalism (Replaces Executive Orders 12612 and 13083)

This rule will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. This rule does not come into conflict with any State law or regulation. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, BLM has determined that this rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant preparation of a federalism assessment.

Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform

Under Executive Order 12988, the Office of the Solicitor has determined that this rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order.

Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments (Replaces Executive Order 13084)

In accordance with Executive Order 13175, we have found that this rule does not include policies that have tribal implications. None of the lands included in this rule affects Indian lands or Indian rights. Coordination was conducted through preparation of the WECO ROT Plan with all affected tribes.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This rule does not contain information collection requirements that the Office of Management and Budget must approve under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. The information collection requirements contained in this rule are exempt from the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3518(c)(1) because Federal criminal investigations or prosecutions may result from this rule.

Authors

The principal author of this supplementary rule is Chief Ranger Robert Zimmer.

Supplementary Rule

Under 43 CFR 8365.1-6, the Bureau of Land Management will enforce the following rule on the public lands within the East Mesa, El Centro Field Office, California Desert District. A more detailed explanation as to the need for such a rule may be found in the Western Colorado Desert Routes of Travel Designation dated October 2002 and signed January 31, 2003.

You must follow this rule:

1. No person may camp on the public lands within the “No Camping Zone” of the East Mesa Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Management Area. This “No Camping Zone” includes public lands within: SBM, T.16S., R.19E., Secs. 3, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35; T.16S., R.20E., Secs. 30, 31 (those portions lying west of the Old Coachella Canal and north of Interstate 8.

Penalties

Under section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a) and 43 CFR 8360.0-7 if you violate this supplementary rule on public lands within the boundaries established in the rule, you may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than $1,000 or imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Such violations may also be subject to the enhanced fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571.

Editorial Note:

This document was received in the Office of the Federal Register on April 6, 2004.